Grandad killed in beer garden had 'heart of gold'

Carl James died in hospital three days after being attacked

A grandfather who died after being attacked in a pub's beer garden had a "heart of gold" and "loved life", a court has heard,

Carl James, 42, died in hospital three days after he was headbutted and punched by Curtis Tudor outside the Jack and Jill Pub in Middlesbrough in May, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Mr James, a much-loved father of five and grandfather of two, suffered catastrophic bleeding around his brain after he struck his head on a wooden table.

Tudor, 26 and of Welburn Grove in Ormesby, admitted manslaughter and will be sentenced on Friday.

Mr James was attacked after sitting down on a bench next to Tudor shortly before 18:00 BST on 11 May, the court heard.

The violence took place in front of at least 20 people, including a number of children, the court heard.

While other people performed CPR on Mr James, Tudor stood nearby massaging his hand, prosecutors said, before leaving the scene.

'Absolutely heartbroken'

Mr James, a scaffolder who had recently completed an offshore safety course, was taken to James Cook University Hospital where he died three days later.

His brother Anthony James told the court the 42-year-old's death had had a "devastating impact" on the whole family.

He said his brother was always loving and "not afraid to show it", adding he was "caring and generous" and had a "massive heart of gold".

More than £30,000 had been raised in memory of his brother, he said, which was a testament to the many people and causes he had helped in his lifetime.

Curtis Tudor attacked Carl James in the garden of the Jack and Jill pub

"He was always making everyone laugh and smile with his ways," Mr James said, adding their parents were "absolutely heartbroken".

He said the family had many "amazing" memories of Mr James, who was nicknamed Frank by his friends after dressing up as Frankenstein's monster for a parade when he was a child, but were devastated they could never make any more.

The court heard Tudor had three convictions for six offences, including attacking two men in March this year, one of whom he punched repeatedly to the head and the other to the chest and throat.

In mitigation, the court heard Tudor had written a letter in which he expressed genuine remorse.